Comedian Jonathan Winters dies at age 87

He was a favorite guest on the late night TV circuit for decades, often appearing with Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Steve Allen. And he often performed in character. One one of his best known was Maude Frickert, an old lady with a quick and acid wit. He had his own TV show in the 1950s.

Winters also appeared in nearly 50 movies, including a particularly notable role in the 1963 film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

Eileen Schauder Winters, his wife of more than 60 years, died on Jan. 11, 2009. Jonathan is survived by two children and five grandchildren.
Source: Comedian Jonathan Winters dies at 87 by Ann Oldenburg
Winters was a master of improvisational comedy, "with a grab bag of eccentric personalities and facial expression," and inspired many other talents including Robin Williams and Jim Carrey, according to the Associated Press.

Winters' career began when he won a talent contest, which led to radio gigs and appearances at comedy clubs. He later was a regular on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," and recorded several classic comedy albums.

The groundbreaking comedian worked right up until his last days, voicing the character of Papa Smurf in the 2011 movie "The Smurfs" and the "The Smurfs 2," due out later this year.
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He was reluctant about taking the role until his wife pushed him. "You'd better take it, because you'll never work again if you don't take it," he recalled her saying. In the 1963 film, filled with comedy all-stars, Winters stood out as a truck driver who destroys a gas station.

He was, many agreed, one of a kind.

"The first time I saw Jonathan Winters perform, I thought I might as well quit the business," tweeted Dick Van Dyke after hearing of Winters' death. "Because, I could never be as brilliant."

His wife, Eileen, died in 2009. He is survived by two children and five grandchildren.
Source: Comedian Jonathan Winters dies at 87 By Todd Leopold